V5.C18 Fear, Rivals
The towel slid down bit by bit, revealing the fair skin hidden underneath. The sweet fragrance emanating from Irene's body drove his heartbeat to a dangerous level. But the look on her face forced him to bring an end to this sweet moment.
Grabbing her shoulders, he stared into her glistening silver pair of eyes carrying deep emotions. He always wondered why she became so proactive to seduce him. Forming a serious expression, he opened his mouth.
"Are you actually... afraid of being abandoned again?"
"No, it's not like that…"
Despite her calm voice, her eyelashes trembled momentarily which was noticed by him. He understood her impulses, in fear of abandonment she wanted to solidify their relationship. He didn't blame her except he didn't desire her first time because she felt an unreasonable fear. With a soft smile he pulled her into his embrace.
"I'm not going anywhere, you know. Even if you want to go, I'll shamelessly bring you back, where you belong."
She returned the hug with a nod, her heart fluttered as she settled in his embrace. "...Mm. I'm sorry."
The usually teasing girl acting so cutely surprised him. He couldn't resist anymore and began patting her head, only stopping when she nearly fell asleep.
Irene released him, tears filled her eyes as she stretched and yawned. The towel freed by her hands finally fell down. Instead of covering her body, she positioned both hands on her waist with a proud smile.
He also acted brazenly and ogled her body. Briefly stopping to gaze at the bright pink nipples on her fairly well-developed pair of boobs before moving to her smooth waist showing perfect curves, her sweet spot covered in a few strands of blue hair.
He suppressed the thought of embracing her tonight and asked, "Are you ready for the evil piece?"
Irene's smile turned wider as she nodded her head. "Yeah."
Shaking his head, he pulled out the crimson pawn piece and brought it near her chest. It disappeared and a crimson glow wrapped around her body.
The process as usual mesmerized him, he waited until the light receded and revealed Irene without any changes.
'Analyze'
[Irene Verglas]
Level 78 (Tier 3)
Age: 20 Female
Race: Human Monster Hybrid
Title - The Abandoned Child, Talented Mage, Unemotional Girl, The Crippler, Ice Princess, Poker-faced Woman, Lazy Girl, Spoiled woman
Personality - Cold, Kind, Lazy, and Loyal
Likes - Leo, Eri, Shea, Myu, Yue, Remia and Tio.
Hobbies - Cooking, Training, Sleeping, Stargazing.
Stats:
Strength: 500
Vitality: 650
Defense: 650
Agility: 600
Magic: 2000
Magic Defense: 2000
Skills: [Ice Magic Affinity] [+Decreased Magic Consumption] [+Increased Efficiency] [+Increased Duration] — [Spirit Eyes] [+Soul Perception] — [Mana Manipulation] — [Physical Resistance] — [Elemental Resistance]
"How do you feel?"
Irene was amazed by the changes in her own body. Her perception seemed sharper than ever. She could even hear Leo's steady heartbeat if she focused enough.
Her lips parted in surprise. "Amazing…"
He picked up the towel from the ground and draped it over her shoulder.
"Let's just sleep today. We'll continue that stuff later."
*Creak~*
The door opened and Eri entered wearing a white nightdress adorned with floral design. Yue behind her dressed in a pink nightgown with teddies printed on it and Shea just sporting one of his shirts. All of them held a pillow in their hands.
"Are we interrupting something~?" Eri asked, eying his hands resting on Irene's shoulders. She already checked the room before entering. She didn't want to ruin one of the most important moments in her friend's life.
Leo shook his head with a wry smile. "We were about to sleep, the day nearly exhausted me."
Yue nodded, she knew Leo never lied about these things. She stared at Leo with a face asking 'Let me in'.
"Leo-san, can we sleep here today?"
He couldn't endure the three pairs of puppy eyes staring his way. That's dangerous, he thought and agreed. It wasn't like he was doing something, so he let them sleep on the same bed.
The five of them huddled on the bed. Mentally exhausted to do something naughty and slept without any care in the world.
***
*Shiing~* "Zing~* *Swoosh~*
A black blade flashed three times, a moment later, three green heads fell down followed by three bodies. The wielder of the sword, a ponytailed girl shook off the blood and sheathed the black katana.
"Shizuku-chan! Dodge!"
Before Shizuku could catch her breath, another hobgoblin tried to attack her. But all it could do was try as a flash of light interrupted it.
"Shizuku, are you alright?"
"Don't worry about me, first finish it off!"
She warned Kouki, who was looking at her strangely. After spending nearly all her childhood with Kouki, she couldn't help but believe that her childhood friend had changed. Though he acted normally, she always felt distant whenever they talked. It looked as if he was someone different. Despite that she was unable to voice it out, otherwise, their already strained friendship will just end.
While she was lost in thoughts, Kouki finished the hobgoblin in one slash.
"Shizuku-chan!"
Before she could catch a breath, a black-haired girl dove into her embrace. The rest of the people gazed at them with a strange glint in their eyes.
Shizuku released a sigh and patted the back of the girl rubbing her face in her chest.
"Kaori-chan, what happened now? I am unharmed, so don't worry."
"It is the 82nd floor, you should never let your guard down. I don't know what I'd do without Shizuku-chan."
"Don't you have your boyfriend, Nagumo-kun?"
"Hehe, indeed. But I also love Shizuku-chan as much as I love Hajime-kun."
"Stop saying that or people will misunderstand our relationship."
Her childhood friend, Kaori, was still an airhead. She pushed Kaori away and glared at the other classmates. She could guess what these lecherous males were thinking.
An image of a white-haired young man flashed in her mind for a second before she shook it away.
'I wonder how is he now? Did Irene succeed?'
She also recalled the last talk with Irene.
'She said I just need to use a few tricks to get me in…'
Remembering the tricks Irene taught, her face turned deep crimson.
'I can't try those, that's too embarrassing and sh—'
She was brought back to reality when someone shook both of her hands.
"Shizuku-chan? What happened? You have been spacing out a lot like that," Kaori asked worriedly.
Shizuku stopped the blush from creeping on her face. Not believing the fact her head was in clouds inside a dangerous place like Labyrinth. Kouki also looked at her with worry in his eyes.
"N-No, I'm fine. I'm just exhausted from all these battles."
"Then let's return to the surface for now," Kouki ordered.
It hadn't been four hours till they came here. Their usual dive in the labyrinth spanned from six to eight hours. She felt a bit guilty about it.
One and a half hours later, the party arrived at the exit of the first floor. As soon as Shizuku walked out of the gate, her eyes fell on blonde girl attired in an elegant white dress nearly touching the ground and a small silver tiara resting on her head. Her whole being exuded an aura of royalty.
Standing beside the princess was a tall silver-haired woman wearing a white and blue French maid outfit of short sleeves and a maid headband. Her blues eyes carrying a unbreakable composure.
(A/N:- I misunderstood her hair color. It should've been dark Brown but I mistook it for silver. Might as well continue with silver xD)
Every male eye lit up at the sight of a beautiful blonde princess and silver-haired maid standing side by side. Wild fantasies ran inside their heads.
Liliana didn't even flinch from the hungry gazes. She, along with Helina, made an elegant bow. "Father has called everyone back to the Palace. Please sit inside the carriages."
Kouki standing at the front turned back and flashed a brilliant smile. "Does anyone have any objections?"
Everyone shook their heads, they all enjoyed the Royal Palace more than this town's inn. They all quietly sat inside the carriages lined up in front of the entrance of the Labyrinth.
"Shizuku."
Shizuku was about to climb up on the carriage, stopped and turned to Liliana waving her hand, standing near the most luxurious carriage in the back. She walked to the carriage.
Helina swept the curtains and pulled open the door then stood behind Liliana with a serious expression.
Liliana smiled at her friend. "Shizuku, please sit inside, I need to talk about something important."
Shizuku was confused by the sudden change, she still entered the carriage without any rejection.
Liliana sat in her front with an unusually serious expression. Helina sat beside her with a calm face.
"Did you notice the strange atmosphere around the palace?"
"Oh that, I thought it was only my imagination. What actually happened?"
"Everyone in the Palace is acting weirdly as if… I don't know but their emotions feel hollow. I think something is about to happen."
"If only Leo-kun was here…" Shizuku unconsciously said. Only after that, she realized her mistake and her face flushed in embarrassment.
"Oh my, it looks like you have also fallen for him. Even my maid here fell in love with him. I have never seen her acting like that. She just wouldn't stop talking about him until I ordered her."
"Milady!" Helina tried to preserve her image, but couldn't hide the faint blush on her face.
Liliana flashed a mischievous smile. "Weren't you the one who said I should marry Leo-san? Then you can also get together with him and 'serve' him."
"B-But Leo-sama is the best candidate. He is strong, handsome and has a charming personality. On top of that, he never pushes anyone around and treats even a maid like me with respect. It would be in our best interest to maintain their relationship with him."
"There she goes again with her love. Mother also said it to me a hundred times…"
Shizuku stared at the duo of Princess and Maid, two new rivals in love. Her childhood friend's words rang inside her mind. 'Fight on, Shizuku-chan!'
---
Princess Liliana
---
Helina
